Choosing between CAKE POS and SpotOn for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. CAKE POS starts at $69/month and is Restaurant POS by Sysco with 24/7 US-based support, while SpotOn starts at $0/month (Quick Start) and is Restaurant POS excelling at labor and food cost control.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: CAKE POS vs SpotOn
| Feature | CAKE POS | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | US restaurants wanting reliable support and Sysco integration | Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs |
CAKE POS Overview
CAKE POS is a restaurant point-of-sale system designed for operational efficiency. Features online ordering, QR payments, and 24/7/365 US-based support. Originally launched by Sysco in 2011, acquired by Mad Mobile in 2020.
CAKE POS is offered by CAKE (Mad Mobile/Sysco) (founded 2011) based in Austin, TX. The system focuses on Full Service, Quick Service, All Restaurant Types.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Menu Management
- QR Code Payments
- Payment Processing
- Table Management
SpotOn Overview
SpotOn is a cloud-based restaurant POS known for labor and food cost control. Features include labor-vs-revenue dashboards, automatic tip pooling, inventory management, QR/mobile ordering, and in-POS reservations. Offers a $0/month Quick Start plan.
SpotOn is offered by SpotOn Transact LLC (founded 2017) based in San Francisco, California, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Quick Service, Full Service.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
- Inventory management
Feature Comparison
CAKE POS Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Menu Management
- QR Code Payments
- Payment Processing
SpotOn Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
When comparing features, CAKE POS stands out with Sysco partnership, while SpotOn differentiates itself with $0/month entry plan. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | CAKE POS | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
SpotOn offers a free version, which is great for testing or small operations. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
CAKE POS
Pros:
- 24/7/365 US-based support
- Reduces wait times
- Increases table turnover
- Apple Pay/Google Pay support
Cons:
- Add-ons can be expensive
- Time tracking/scheduling extra
- US-only availability
SpotOn
Pros:
- $0/month starter plan
- Strong labor cost tools
- No long-term contracts
- User-friendly interface
- Dual pricing feature
Cons:
- Menu edits in back office only
- Limited integration marketplace
- Processing fees can add up
- Unexpected fee increases reported
Who Should Choose CAKE POS?
CAKE POS is ideal for US restaurants wanting reliable support and Sysco integration. The system is particularly well-suited for Full Service, Quick Service, All Restaurant Types.
However, CAKE POS may not be the best fit for International restaurants, those needing all features in base price.
Who Should Choose SpotOn?
SpotOn is ideal for Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Quick Service, Full Service.
However, SpotOn may not be the best fit for Businesses needing extensive third-party integrations.
Our Recommendation
Both CAKE POS and SpotOn are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose CAKE POS if you’re US restaurants wanting reliable support and Sysco integration. Choose SpotOn if you’re Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. SpotOn has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0). Also, choose SpotOn if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.